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Monday, February 18, 2013

A Home for a Home in Paradise

Abdullah ibn Jahsh (may Allah be pleased with him) was among those who
were the first to accept Islam. When the persecution of the Quraysh got
severe, the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) gave
permission for his companions to emigrate to Madinah. Emigrating was not
a new experience for Abdullah. He and some members of his immediate
family had migrated before to Abyssinia. This time, however, his
migration was on a far bigger scale. His family and relatives, men,
women and children, migrated with him. In fact, his whole clan had
become Muslims and accompanied him.

Abdullah's clan were not long
gone when the alerted Quraysh leaders came out and made the rounds of
the districts in Makkah to find out which Muslims had left and who had
remained. Among these leaders were Abu Jahl and Utbah ibn Rabi'ah. Utbah
looked at the houses of the Banu Jahsh through which the dusty winds
were blowing. He banged on the doors and shouted: "The houses of the
Banu Jahsh have become empty and are weeping for its occupants."
Abdullah bin Jahsh had the most beautiful and expensive house. He
sacrificed this house for the pleasure of Allah. Seeing it abandoned,
Abu Jahl entered the house and took all its contents.

Later, when
Abdullah ibn Jahsh heard what Abu Jahl had done to his house, he
mentioned it to the Prophet, peace be upon him, who said: "Aren't you
satisfied, O Abdullah, with what Allah has given you instead, a house in
Paradise?"

"Yes, messenger of Allah," replied Abdullah. From
that moment he never had any regret for that house and became completely
satisfied with the beautiful palaces that are awaiting for him in
Paradise.

Source: Partially taken from "Companions of The Prophet", Vol.1, By: Abdul Wahid Hamid.